2 headmasters transferred for violating coronavirus prevention

Headmasters of two state-run schools here have been transferred for allegedly violating coronavirus prevention guidelines during distribution of rice and potato under mid-day meal scheme.

The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education on Monday evening transferred the headmasters - Parimal Bhattacharya of Jadavpur Vidyapith and Kazi Mausam Akhtar of Swarnamoyee Vidyapith, Garia - for violating the school education department guidelines framed in the wake of coronavirus pandemic.

In separate letters to the two teachers, the WBBSE said, the headmasters had made "clear violation" of government guidelines which had stipulated only guardians would be allowed to collect rice and potato, 2 kg for each student, for a month, and not students "in view of the emergent situation".

Instead the two headmasters, during the midd-day meal rice distribution programme at their respective schools on Monday, did not prevent some students from collecting the commodities, the letter said.

It was a "clear violation of government directives and a serious case of dereliction of duty," the letter signed by WBBSE president Kalyanmoy Ganguly said.

While Akhtar was transferred to Haranath High School Boys in Baghbazar, Bhattacharya was transferred to Rani Bhavani High School, Beadon Street, "to ensure free and fair inquiry" launched against the two, the letter said.

Both Baghbazar and beadon Street are in north Kolkata.

The move follows the statement of state Education minister Partha Chatterjee that if any school was found to have flouted any guidelines framed by the school education department during distribution of rice and potato among guardians under mid-day meal programme, "strict action will be taken."